Best Photography Monitors in 2018

May 21, 2018

We compared the best monitors for photo editing: here are the 16 Top Picks for 2018!

Best Monitors for Photo Editing

Very simply, if I need a monitor for editing photos, I will look for a high resolution display, something with a great viewing angle and the ability to represent true colors. Now, colors are something that is dependent on the fact that you calibrate you monitor from time to time. Even if the monitor comes well calibrated out of the box, over a period of time it loses that calibration. So, you have to recalibrate it as you go.

You also need the monitor to display a certain resolution and be of a certain size. For a photographer or a creative professional (someone who does photo editing for a living) it is pertinent that the monitor be at least around 27 inch. I feel 27″ is a great size for photo editing. The resolution should be around UHD / 4K.

In any case, don’t go for too large a monitor if the resolution is anything less than UHD / 4K. This is because with larger pixels the image is likely to become blurry. Ideally, you would want a dense pixel concentration to give a smoother experience and higher detail.

Apart from that you need your monitor to support 100% of the sRGB color gamut. This will ensure that the images that you print to match the colors that you see on the monitor. Here are a few monitors that we feel are great choices for the purpose of photo editing. We have sorted them in terms of their pricing band.

Here are the top 16 choices for the best monitors for photo editing in 2018:

What I like about the BenQ 27″ 4K PhotoVue monitor (SW271) is that it supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The fact that it also supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut isn’t all that important for me. Of course I don’t make all my prints I usually outsource them and for all that matters most of the photo printing labs use sRGB. That way I can be rest assured that the colors will match when the prints come back and there will be no surprises.

Additionally, as the Internet too uses sRGB as the default color space, any picture that I edit and then upload to a gallery or a forum or social media will look exactly the same as it does on my computer. Usually when your editing color space is AdobeRGB and then you upload in sRGB the colors look dull.

The other thing that I like is this is a 4K (UHD) monitor and that means a resolution of 3840 x 2160. Additionally this monitor incorporates IPS technology and that means it has a wider display angle unlike the TN panels. Aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. Refresh rate is 60 Hz. Contrast ratio is 1000:1.

The monitor uses a 14-bit (3D) LUT. Thanks to that you have a large wider color gamut than what is possible with other 12-bit or smaller LUT systems.

The monitor comes with a USB-C port which allows you to plug in an external calibration tool (among other devices for both charging and data) for sustained true color output and accurate color reproduction. However, that said, you can’t use the USB-C port as a docking station for the purpose of connecting a laptop. The system comes with the Palette Master Element Calibration Software and that allows you to use most good quality calibration hardware.

There is one bad news for any gamers reading this, the monitor does not have Free-sync. That means for any games that you normally play at a higher frame rate, there is bound to be some amount of jerks and tears. This, however, does not impact photo editors.

The BenQ SW2700PT is a 27” monitor powered by IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology. It has a display resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (109 ppi) and a contrast ratio of 1000:1.

The monitor has 99% coverage of the AdobeRGB color space. It also supports 100% of the Rec. 709 / sRGB color gamut.

A built-in calibration tool using the image processing chip is a better and more reliable method of keeping the display honest. Also, the monitor comes with a proprietary calibration application.

Though not a huge advantage for photo editors the response time of the monitor is 5 ms. What, however, is of advantage, is the support for 1.07 billion colors.

Despite the fact that we are dealing with monitors for photo editing and that is the primary focus, a monitor is not always used as a photo editing tool. In fact, it rarely has that privilege. Thus, it is frequently switched from photo editing tasks to browsing and even gaming. There is this quick ‘mode-change’ option named OSD controller that allows you to make that change whenever you want to use your monitor for anything other than photo editing.

A feature of the BenQ SW2700PT 27” is the detachable hood. This hood is a nice touch, especially for users who might be sitting in areas where controlling the ambient light may not be possible. The hood also makes it possible to work in outdoor conditions as well, in bright scenes where glare makes it difficult to review images after they have been shot. Thus, this is a useful tool for location shooting purposes.

The monitor comes with an array of connectivity options but what it does not have is a USB-C port.

We bring in another BenQ in this discussion. This is the BenQ PV3200PT. This is a 32″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 (UHD). Additionally, the monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Brightness level of the monitor is 350 cd/m². Being an IPS panel has its own advantages as the viewing angle is pretty big – 178 ˚ to be precise. Response time of the monitor is 5 ms. The monitor supports up to 1.07 billion colors. The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz.

The monitor supports 100% Rec. 709 color space as well as 100% of the sRGB color space. The monitor comes with a 14-Bit LUT which enables a much larger color palette compared to others. There is an interesting hardware calibration tool integrated into the monitor. The system allows you to recalibrate the image processing chip inside the monitor and keep the settings in the graphic card of your computer unchanged. Thus, you get to see consistent results and the monitor does not get affected by the settings in your graphic card.

The system comes integrated with the Palette Master Element software. What you need is a calibrator (external) and you can recalibrate your BenQ PV3200PT from time to time and keep it performing in its optical state for years.

Plus the BenQ PV3200PT comes with an OSD controller. This special remote controller ensures that you can switch between different display settings as and when needed.

The LG 32UD99-W is a 31.5″ monitor with a resolution of 3840 x 210 (UHD). The higher resolution as I have mentioned several times over helps in getting a more detailed image. That comes in handy when you are editing images which has a lot of detail in it – landscapes, product shots, black and white portrait of a senior individual and so on. The LG 32UD99-W features in plane switching technology which ensures that you have a wider viewing angle than other standard monitors. The viewing angle, by the way is 178 ˚.

The brightness level of the monitor is a good 350 cd/m² and it has a 5 ms response time. There are faster monitors out there, no doubt about it. But given the fact that we are primarily discussing about photo editing applications we don’t need 1 ms or anything near that. Those are best for gamers and are outside the purview of or discussion. The monitor supports DCI-P3 95% color standard.

The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Though there are monitors with even higher numbers and for gaming and watching videos those might be useful, a higher refresh rate is not necessary for photo editing.

Having said that it is hard to ignore the fact that the best monitors are usually the ones that come loaded with features for the hard core gamer. The LG 32UD99-W being a gaming monitor comes with some gaming features as well. For example it has the AMD FreeSync technology. This technology is designed to tune the monitor’s refresh rate with that of the frame rate output of the graphics card ensuring a smoother experience. This is for a smoother gaming experience.

Plus you get HDR capabilities as well. That means you will be able to get a much better (and detailed) image across the dark to medium to bright tones giving you a much better viewing experience. Though actually designed for gaming along with the black stabilizer technology that is also incorporated into the system, to help find details in the shadow areas, this technology will come in handy when editing HDR images.

Among the connectivity options, you have several really, the one that stands out is the USB-C port. It is the latest and the fastest and gives you both data and charging capabilities.

Just because you can splurge an obscene amount of money on a computer monitor does not mean that you should. At least if you are a photographer and using your monitor to edit images and videos rather than using them for the purpose of playing games. But then, for some a monitor isn’t just a monitor. It is a display and the more advanced it is, the better. The BenQ BL2711U 27″ 16:9 UHD IPS monitor is certainly for the techno-geek.

The BenQ BL2711U is a 27″ monitor. Large enough for the dual purpose of business and pleasure. The resolution of the monitor is 3840 x 2160. That should give you enough detail to edit your high resolution images downloaded from your latest DSLR. Another advantage of the large display with higher resolution is in video editing. You get to fit in a larger amount of the timeline within the 27″ space of a monitor.

The contrast ratio of the monitor is 1000:1 and the screen brightness is 300 cd/m². The response time of the monitor is 4 ms. Again, that is not as important for photo editing or dealing with static content. But will come in handy when watching videos and of course when playing games. But since we are not dealing with gaming monitors that feature is not critical but a bonus.

The important features that we need include sRGB color space support. The BenQ supports 100% of the sRGB color space. The IPS panel has a viewing angle of 178 ˚. That ensures a wide viewing option. The panel supports up to 1.07 billion colors. The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz.

Let’s splurge for a while and let’s bring in a true behemoth. Let’s take a look at the Dell UP3218K. This behemoth is an 8K monitor. If you ever had a grievance that you could never see your high resolution images in full view and in full resolution on a monitor you will find your prayers answered. Behold the Dell UP3218K. The Dell UP3218K is an 8K monitor. That’s 4 full HD monitors arranged in a grid square of two by two.

The greatest benefit, however, would be when editing and processing and mixing videos. because with this monitor you would be able to see a much wider timeline, something that is impossible to view with smaller and more specifically low resolution monitors.

The monitor comes with 33.2 million pixel resolution and a high pixel density of 280. The monitor covers 100% of the Adobe RGB color space as well as 100% of the sRGB color space. The monitor supports up to 1.07 billion colors. The brightness of the monitor is 400 cd/m² while the contrast ratio is 1300:1.

The IPS panel ensures a wider viewing angle (as compared to TN panels). 178 ˚ to be precise. Plus the monitor incorporates some useful proprietary technologies including ComfortView as well as the flicker free technologies which ensure that the harmful blue light never becomes an issue.

The monitor comes with dual DisplayPort inputs as well as other standard inputs. What the monitor misses out on is a USB-C port.

This 27″ Dell UltraSharp InfinityEdge monitor comes with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Again, it is less than the UHD / 4K that we love, but still useful nonetheless as its better than the full HD display on most monitors. The monitor incorporates IPS technology as well as the useful anti-glare technology for better viewing angle and better contrast even when used in a brightly lit room. The monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1000:1 and a support for up to 16.7 million colors.

The refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz. Clearly if a gaming monitor is what you are looking for this is not what you should be looking at. Among the things that we don’t like, are that there are no USB-C ports but only USB-A. Plus, the 3.5mm port accepts a mic but there is no headphone support which is kind of strange.

The Samsung 32” WQHD LED Monitor(S32D850T) – a great pick for those who want to edit their photos on a big screen (and are on a tight budget).

The Samsung 32″ WQHD is a32″ large monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 (WQHD). Though the resolution is slightly better than full HD but it is not at par as the UHD resolution of the BenQ that we have just finished discussing.

The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178 ˚ allowing you a much wider viewing angle. Though you would hardly be looking at this from the side, it is good to have this feature. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9.

Among the other fringe benefits of the monitor is the picture in picture mode. Though practical for some uses it is not useful for photographers. The only time I can envision myself using this is when I am watching a tutorial and using it at the same time on a photo editing application.

What is practical, however, is the presence of the Eco light technology. This technology ensures that the monitor’s display is adjusted automatically when the brightness of the room changes.

What is missing on the system is the USB-C port. There are several Type-B and A ports along with the other ports but this is what is missing.

The ASUS Designo MX27UC is a 27″ monitor that comes with the IPS technology and a 4K / UHD resolution. I.e., display is 3840 x 2160. IPS displays are great for viewing as they offer wider viewing angles and better contrast when doing so compared to TN panels. The ASUS Designo MX27UC has a display of 178 ˚. The unique frame less design gives it a stunning appearance. The bezel actually measures 0.1 cm in thickness.

For extended use of the monitor, such as when editing batches of photos and videos after a shoot, you need a way to be able to preserve your eyes. The monitor comes with the ASUS Eye Care technology as well as a blue light filter technology which reduces the strain on your eyes when using the monitor for long periods.

There is a 29″ and a 34″ version of this monitor. But they don’t offer the same high pixel density resolution as the 27″ version. And in any ways the 27″ is my favorite as it is just the right size for a great photo editing experience. The static contrast ratio is 1300:1.

The monitor displays 1.07 billion colors. It supports the entire sRGB color space, and thus give a more accurate color representation and better consistency across all your displays, the web and your printer. Response rate of the monitor is 5 ms.

In terms of connectivity, the monitor comes with several connection options along with the all-important USB-C port.

The ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD is a 27″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440p (2K / WQHD). The monitor incorporates IPS technology. The presence of IPS technology ensures that you have a much wider viewing area compared to the normal (Twisted Nematic) screens. The screen supports a contrast ratio of 1000:1 (dynamic contrast of 80,000,000:1) and supports up to 16.7 million colors. Additionally, the monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut.

The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. The monitor comes with a special anti-glare coating that suppresses disturbing screen reflections and glares. The refresh rate of the monitor is 68 – 100 kHz. Vertical refresh rate is 45–65 KHz.

Additionally, the system has a response time of 5 ms which gives fast access to the system when working (rather playing games). There is a useful Viewing Mode option on the monitor which ensures that you can toggle between the different modes based on what you are looking at (editing photos, playing games or surfing the net). This automatically adjusts the brightness of the display screen as well as contrast and color temperature for a better viewing experience.

The HP Pavilion is a giant 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. This is kind of a disappointment as the extremely large monitor real estate could have easily supported 4K / UHD resolution and give a sharper and more detailed picture. For photo editing purposes that is exactly what we photographers require.

Horizontal frequency of the monitor is 68 – 100 kHz and vertical frequency is 46 – 65 kHz. The viewing angle of the monitor is 178 ˚. At par with all the good monitors that we have discussed here. 8-bit color depth supports 16.7 million colors. The monitor supports 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The monitor incorporates IPS technology which means the viewing angle is a bit better than TN displays.

The dynamic contrast ratio of the monitor is 80,000,000:1 and the response time is 5 ms. Just like the ViewSonic VX2778-SMHD above, the HP Pavilion V1M69AA#ABA too comes with a few viewing modes. You need to switch the modes using the gaming mode hotkeys. Though this has been designed for gaming aesthetics you can always try out different settings based on the kind of work that you are going.

I have mixed emotions when I am about to write about the LG 27UD58-B 27-Inch 4K UHD. You will know about it when you have finished reading this part. The LG 27″ is a 4K / UHD monitor. I love the higher resolution, especially, when the display real estate is large to support. The LG 27UD58-B is big. The extra resolution means you can easily get a larger view of the images you are editing without having to minimize the image too much. Something that every photographer / photo editor loves.

The viewing angle of the monitor is 178˚. It allows you a larger viewing angle. Additionally, the monitor comes with support for 1.07 billion colors. The response time of the monitor is 5 ms. The monitor covers 72% of the sRGB color gamut and has a maximum brightness of 250 cd/m2. That is kind of lame. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:9 while the refresh rate is 60 Hz.

Being primarily a gaming monitor the LG 27UD58-B also comes with some gaming specific features like the LG proprietary FreeSync technology. The rare moments when you choose to play PUBG or GTA, you will experience less tear and jitters. Though, not something that is the first priority for any photographer. The other feature is the split screen technology that allows you to divide the screen between two windows when you are multitasking.

A major issue with the monitor, however, is the absence of a USB port. This is a major drawback of the monitor. Another issue of the product is that you can adjust the height as well as tilt it, but you will not be able to swivel or pivot the monitor. The curved stand that comes with the monitor does not allow those functions.

So, as you can imagine, what the high resolution and the big display wins for the LG 27UD58-B, the low brightness level and the lack of a USB hub (and the USB-C port) loses it.

The AOC Q3277FQE is a large 32″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. The monitor has a peak brightness of 300 cd/ m². The TFT Active matrix MVA panel produces exceptionally vibrant images. That said I don’t quite like the fact that the display resolution is so low. Being a 32″ monitor I would have preferred that the monitor has UHD / 4K resolution. That way the images would have been sharper with more detail.

The monitor has a response of 5 ms. Plus, it has a 178 ˚ viewing angle giving you a greater degree of freedom when it comes to editing (or watching videos). The monitor supports up to 1.0 billion colors and has a dynamic contrast ratio of 20,000,000:1. The panel has a color depth of 8-bit.

Monitor screens (as well as laptop screens) are fingerprint magnets. That is why manufacturers go great distances in order to create a panel that can resist such smudges and dirt. The AOC Q3277FQE has an anti-glare coating that not only prevents smudges and dirt accumulating on the panel but also lets the screen be easily viewable even in bright light.

There are several connection points on the monitor but what’s missing is the USB plug in and more specifically the USB-C option.

The PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420 is a 24″ monitor with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. The aspect ratio of the monitor is 16:10. This is slightly larger than the usual 16:9 aspect ratio of other monitors. The static contrast ratio of the monitor is 1500:1 and the peak brightness is 400 cd/ m². Thanks to the IPS technology that this monitor incorporates, viewing angle on the monitor is 178 ˚ which ensure that anything displayed on the monitor is discernable even from an acute angle. The monitor has a response time of 10 ms.

Also the monitor supports 99% of the Adobe RGB color gamut. A unique feature of the monitor is the presence of a built-in calibration sensor. This sensor makes it redundant to use an external / third party calibration tool to calibrate the monitor from time to time. In order to calibrate your monitor all you need to do is select the presets and the ColorNavigator 6 software will create an ICC profile by employing the monitor’s LUT thereby calibrating the colors.

The ColorNavigator NX Quality control software comes preloaded into the monitor. That means you don’t have to recalibrate if you change your PC (connect your monitor to a different PC).

Another feature of the ColorEdge is the Digital Uniformity Equalizer technology. This technology results in a uniform, and that way, better brightness and chromaticity across the display. This technology also does something even more important and that is neutralizes the color temperature changes that results from change in temperature of the monitor. This has a profound impact when you are editing your images and maintains the integrity of the colors especially if you plan on printing your images later on.

There are two aspects of this monitor which makes it suitable for using outdoors. First is the light-shield and the second is the carrying handle. One thing we really like about this monitor is it comes with a light-shielding hood. If you are working in a brightly lit room and the glare of the lights is affecting your display and your work this is probably the thing that you would order with a monitor. You get this for free with the PRO Eizo ColorEdge CG2420. Thanks to the carrying handle you can use it outdoors or change its location as often as required without the associated hassles.

What we don’t like about this monitor is its lower resolution which defeats the whole purpose of getting a big monitor. At 24″ they could have incorporated a UHD resolution.

The NEC MultiSync PA272W-BK-SV is a 27″ monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Contrast ratio on the monitor is 1000:1. The monitor incorporates an AH-IPS technology which ensure a better viewing angle than standard monitors with other technologies. Brightness of the monitor is 340 cd/m² and gives better whites and sharper blacks. The better than full HD resolution gives a pixel concentration of 109 ppi.

The larger (than usual) resolution ensures greater amount of detail when editing your images and videos (as well as the odd occasion when you are unwinding yourself watching a movie or playing games). The response rate of the monitor is 6 ms. Plus, you also get 1.07 billion color support. The monitor has a 14-bit 3D Lookup table which ensures that you have a much larger color support and a much more detailed image when editing your photos and videos.

The monitor comes with the NEC SpectraView II color calibration tool. The tool is basically a combination of an enhanced color measurement sensor and an advanced calibration software all rolled into one. This tool ensures that the monitor covers 99.3% of the AdobeRGB color space and 146.4% of the sRGB color space. It also covers 94.8% of the NTSC color space.

For all that matters if you are going to print and not be too sure which color space to use then sRGB is should be your working color space; and this monitor covers the entire sRGB color gamut. On the other hand if you know what you are doing then Adobe RGB is for you and this monitor also covers almost the entire color space you need.

There are a number of connectivity options on the laptop but what is missing is a USB type C port. You have the other standard USB ports along with HDMI and mini display port which ensures that you can do the usual stuff and connect the usual peripherals. The monitor comes with DisplaySync Pro controls as well. This ensures that you can connect up to two computers to your system and use them with a single keyboard and mouse without any issues.

The device comes with five picture profiles. All of them are customizable. Additionally, the MultiProfiler software that comes with the monitor gives total control over these picture profiles along with the ability to load any ICC color profile straight on to the monitor for better control over the color space.

The Eizo CG-318-4K is a monitor designed for the photographer and the video professional. It is designed for the professional editor who needs a slightly different configuration than what a gamer would. The Eizo CG-318-4K is a 31.1″ monitor with a display resolution of 4K (true 4K) or 4096 x 2160. The aspect ratio is a slightly wider 1.9: 1.

The monitor covers 99% of the Adobe RGB color space and 98% of the DCI-P3 standard. It has a contrast ratio of 1500:1. Refresh rate of the monitor is 60 Hz which is more than great for photo editing work. The Eizo CG-318-4K has a 16-bit LUT which ensures a much higher color palette than standard monitors.

Two things I like about the Eizo CG-318-4K is the presence of a self-calibrating mechanism and the other is the shading hood. The self-calibrating mechanism ensures that you can keep the monitor calibrated and the colors true as long as you use the monitor. You don’t need an external calibrating tool either. There is a calibrating arm that comes down and does this for you when you initiate it. This is so much more convenient.

The other is the hood. The hood allows you to work in extremely bright conditions and yet never have a problem of screen glares or difficulty in judging colors and brightness or details. The hood lets you use the monitor both in indoor and outdoor shooting setups.

One more thing I need to mention is the technology inside the monitor that stabilizes its color, brightness and chromaticity in just 3 minutes flat. Compare this to other monitors where it can take anywhere up to 30 mins after you switch on the monitor.

Rajib's love for the road is second only to his love for photography.
Wanderlust at heart and a shutterbug who loves to document his travels via his lenses; his two passions compliment each other perfectly.
He has been writing for over 8 years now, which unsurprisingly, revolve mostly around his two favorite pursuits.